Shock absorber for a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension element

Abstract

Shock absorber (31) for a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension element, comprising a disk (32) fastened in an outer casing having ports (30, 38) for the passage of the hydraulic fluid, first elements (48, 49, 37a, 37b) allowing this passage in only one direction for some ports (30) and in the opposite direction for the other ports (38), and second elements (53, 54, 55) for fastening the first elements to the disk; the abovementioned first elements comprise, mounted on the two opposite faces of the disk (32), stacks (46, 47) of elastically flexible metal washers (46a-46c; 47a-47c) arranged in rigid annular deflectors (48, 49) located opposite the hydraulic-fluid passage ports (30, 38). The deflectors protect the flexible washers against any damage caused by the very high peaks of hydraulic pressure which occur on uneven ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Shock absorber (31) for a hydropneumatic suspension element (1, 12) of a vehicle, especially a heavy vehicle, comprising a disk (32) fastened in an outer casing (34) having ports (30, 38) for the passage of hydraulic fluid on either side of the disk, means (48, 49, 37a, 37b) allowing this passage in only one direction for some ports (30) and in the opposite direction for the other ports (38), and elements (53, 54, 55) for fastening said means to the disk, characterized in that the abovementioned means comprise, mounted on the two opposite faces of the disk (32), stacks (46, 47) of elastically flexible metal washers (46a-46c; 47a-47c) retained in rigid annular deflectors (48, 49) located opposite the hydraulic-fluid passage ports (30, 38); and in that each port (38, 30) is delimited by a tubular insert (37a, 37b) fastened in a bore (36) passing right through the disk (32), some (37a) of the inserts being equipped with end collars (39) projecting on one face of the disk, whilst the other inserts (37b) are equipped with end collars (41) projecting on the opposite face of the disk, and the dimensions of these projecting collars (39, 41) are such that the deflectors (48, 49) are held elastically up against said collars (41, 39), thereby shutting off the corresponding inserts (37b, 37a), as long as the hydraulic pressure is insufficient to move the deflectors away from the associated collars. 
     
     
       2. Shock absorber according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the tubular inserts (37a, 37b) opposite their projecting collars (39, 41) open into recesses (42, 43) made in the corresponding face of the disk (32), opposite the deflector (48, 49) mounted on the said face. 
     
     
       3. Shock absorber according to claim 2, characterized in that it possesses a screw (53) passing axially through the disk (32), and annular members (54, 55) intended for retaining the stacks (46, 47) of washers and the reflectors (48, 49) which are provided on each side of the disk (32), these annular members (54, 55) themselves being held against the washers (46a-46c, 47a-47c) at the two opposite ends of the axial screw (53). 
     
     
       4. Shock absorber according to claim 1, characterized in that each deflector (48, 49) bears against the end collars (41, 39) of the inserts (37b, 37a) by means of on annular surface of a radial ring (52) of said deflector, and the thickness of the wall of the tubular inserts, equal to the width of said annular surface, is set between limits effectively allowing the deflector (48, 49) to move away from and keep away from the associated collar (41, 39) as long as the hydraulic pressure remains sufficient, at the same time preventing bruising of the said collar.